What do I mean when I say “cultural connection?” Well, in the guide world, it can have two meanings …
I think Moto Patagonia is an excellent choice because of our distinctive background and our ability to assimilate to many cultures. As co-founder and co-owner with my wife, I personally lead all of our tours. And since we get a lot of riders from English speaking countries, it’s nice for them to have a guide who can not only understand them but also relate to different colloquialisms they may use. These informal communications are just as important if not more so than the basic language connection. When we get new riders, I am just as curious about where they come from as they are about life in Patagonia. I try to soak up as much information as possible, and that makes for good conversation. Over our longer tours we have many conversations and that helps create memories which have a lasting effect. Only a guide with close cultural proximity can do this. As a bonus, I also speak Spanish.
Now on to part two, can the guide connect you to the local culture? And what connections do they have to make that happen? This one thing can add tremendous value to your tour. Our clients often look at the technical aspects of the tour when it comes to value: what bike can I ride, how many days, what’s included? These are important topics, no doubt, but consider also what can the company provide in term of experience? What do the reviews say about the guides and how they were able to connect people to what a location has to offer? These are just as essential as the practical parts of the tour. Beyond the bike and the hotels, what stories will you bring home? When you go to a new location, you should want to experience the local style, feeling, and spirit of the place. If the guide can help make that happen, then you are riding with the right company, one that will create lasting memories that will add to your knowledge and appreciation of the world.
I try hard to do all the above, have close cultural proximity to my clients and help them connect to the spirit and culture of Patagonia. It’s tough sometimes because there is so much here, and each small area has its own character. But over the years, Moto Patagonia has established contacts and become friends with other local companies who help us with our off-bike adventures, and that creates those lasting memories we all long to bring home after an epic adventure!
- the first being the cultural connection you have to the guide.
- the second being the connection the guide can create to the local culture.
I think Moto Patagonia is an excellent choice because of our distinctive background and our ability to assimilate to many cultures. As co-founder and co-owner with my wife, I personally lead all of our tours. And since we get a lot of riders from English speaking countries, it’s nice for them to have a guide who can not only understand them but also relate to different colloquialisms they may use. These informal communications are just as important if not more so than the basic language connection. When we get new riders, I am just as curious about where they come from as they are about life in Patagonia. I try to soak up as much information as possible, and that makes for good conversation. Over our longer tours we have many conversations and that helps create memories which have a lasting effect. Only a guide with close cultural proximity can do this. As a bonus, I also speak Spanish.
Now on to part two, can the guide connect you to the local culture? And what connections do they have to make that happen? This one thing can add tremendous value to your tour. Our clients often look at the technical aspects of the tour when it comes to value: what bike can I ride, how many days, what’s included? These are important topics, no doubt, but consider also what can the company provide in term of experience? What do the reviews say about the guides and how they were able to connect people to what a location has to offer? These are just as essential as the practical parts of the tour. Beyond the bike and the hotels, what stories will you bring home? When you go to a new location, you should want to experience the local style, feeling, and spirit of the place. If the guide can help make that happen, then you are riding with the right company, one that will create lasting memories that will add to your knowledge and appreciation of the world.
I try hard to do all the above, have close cultural proximity to my clients and help them connect to the spirit and culture of Patagonia. It’s tough sometimes because there is so much here, and each small area has its own character. But over the years, Moto Patagonia has established contacts and become friends with other local companies who help us with our off-bike adventures, and that creates those lasting memories we all long to bring home after an epic adventure!
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